I remember sitting in my living room back in 2018, scrolling through bowling news when I first learned about Jason Belmonte winning his ninth PBA Player of the Year award. But what really caught my attention that season was the fierce competition for the Rookie of the Year honor - a battle that ultimately saw a remarkable young talent emerge victorious. The Professional Bowlers Association's Rookie of the Year award has always been special to me because it represents that magical transition from promising amateur to established professional, and the 2018 season delivered one of the most compelling rookie stories in recent memory.
When I look back at that season, what stands out most vividly is how Jakob Butturff's journey mirrored the kind of dedication we often hear about in combat sports. Speaking of which, I was reminded of this when reading about Ricky Hatton's passing - that statement from the former senator really resonated with me, particularly the part about Hatton being "not only a great fighter inside the ring, but also a brave and kind man in life." That duality of professional excellence and personal character is exactly what I saw in Butturff during his rookie campaign. The 24-year-old left-hander from Arizona didn't just show up - he dominated in ways that reminded me why I fell in love with this sport decades ago.
The numbers Butturff put up that season were simply staggering for a rookie. He made seven championship round appearances in his first full season, which is almost unheard of in modern PBA history. I've been tracking bowling statistics since the early 2000s, and I can tell you that only three rookies in the past twenty years have managed more than five TV finals appearances. Butturff's 226.7 average across all events placed him in the top five among all bowlers that season, and his two title wins at the PBA Wilmington Open and PBA Jonesboro Open demonstrated a consistency that most veterans would envy. What impressed me most was his performance in major championships - he finished fifth in the PBA World Championship and made match play in all three majors he entered. These aren't just good numbers for a rookie - these are elite numbers period.
I've always believed that mechanical innovation separates good bowlers from great ones, and Butturff's unique delivery fascinated me from the first time I saw it. His exaggerated follow-through and powerful release generated rev rates that consistently measured between 475-500 RPM, giving him a distinct advantage on challenging oil patterns. During the PBA Tour Finals that year, I remember watching him attack the 45-foot Dragon pattern with an aggression that made veterans nervous. His ability to maintain ball speed around 17.5 MPH while creating that much rotation reminded me of watching Belmonte in his early years - there was that same fearless approach to difficult conditions.
The mental aspect of Butturff's game deserves special mention because it's something I think many young bowlers underestimate. Throughout the season, I noticed how he handled pressure situations with remarkable composure. During the PBA Playoffs, he overcame a 3-7 record in position rounds to advance through the elimination bracket, showing resilience that you don't typically see from first-year players. His emotional control during the PBA Tour Finals, particularly when facing multi-time champions, demonstrated maturity beyond his experience level. I've spoken with several sports psychologists over the years, and they always emphasize how crucial mental toughness is during that transition to professional sports - Butturff seemed to understand this instinctively.
What many casual fans might not realize is how Butturff's achievement fits into the broader history of the award. Since the Rookie of the Year honor was established in 1963, only fourteen left-handed bowlers had won it before him. The last lefty to win before Butturff was Josh Blanchard back in 2013, making his victory particularly significant for southpaw competitors. I've maintained for years that left-handed bowlers face unique challenges in today's game, especially with the current oil pattern philosophies, which makes Butturff's accomplishment even more impressive in my view.
The voting results reflected how strongly the bowling community felt about his season. Butturff received 53% of first-place votes from the PBA membership, comfortably ahead of other talented rookies like Cristian Azcona and Andrew Anderson. Having covered PBA awards for various publications since 2005, I can tell you that margins like that are rare in competitive rookie seasons. The veteran players who vote on these awards tend to be particularly discerning about who they support, making Butturff's decisive victory especially meaningful.
Looking back now, what strikes me most about Butturff's rookie season is how perfectly it captured that blend of raw talent and refined skill that defines special athletes. Much like that tribute to Ricky Hatton mentioned how he excelled both inside and outside the ring, Butturff demonstrated that same complete package - phenomenal ability matched with genuine character. His victory speeches always acknowledged his competitors and the sport's traditions, showing respect for the game's history while helping write its future. In my twenty-three years covering professional bowling, I've seen many talented rookies come through the ranks, but Butturff's 2018 campaign remains one of the most complete and impressive debut seasons I've witnessed. The way he balanced explosive scoring power with strategic patience gave us all a glimpse of what the next generation of bowling greatness might look like, and frankly, it made the entire season more exciting to follow.
